PETER ANAND KUMAR EKKA Vs. MECON LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petitioner has challenged the office order at Annexure-18 dated 11.11.2013 whereby the temporary transfer of the petitioner from MECON, Ranchi to MECON, Mumbai has been extended up to 14.5.2014. The same has been challenged on the ground of being contrary of the "MECON Limited Employees Service Rules" i.e. Rule 14.2 under Chapter XIV of the said rule, which relates to transfer and benefits. Further the same has been, challenged on the ground that petitioner is not in a fit medical condition to undertake the responsibility of the job at Mumbai. Petitioner has also raised the question of malice of law during course of his submission but however not supported by any such grounds as contained in para 3 of the writ petition. The short background in the instant case is that the petitioner was serving as Senior, Design Engineer (Inspection) under the respondent-MECON when earlier he was transferred on 31.10.2012 to the same place for the period of 1 year. The said order was assailed by the petitioner in W.P.S. No. 7973 of 2012 primarily on the grounds that he had suffered a bypass surgery in 2010 and had not been keeping good health and still under treatment for various ailments under the supervision of Doctor of Apollo Hospital at Ranchi. He had also submitted that he was going to retire in October, 2015 but his representation had not been considered and rejected by a cryptic order without assigning any reason. The said writ petition was disposed of vide judgment dated 12.2.2013 (Annexure-10) with an observation that the rejection of the petitioner's request was not supported by any reason and therefore, the C.M.D., MECON Ltd., Ranchi shall consider his request afresh in the light of medical advice and other documents and pass an appropriate reasoned order. It was also observed that the petitioner shall not be relieved, if not already relieved. The petitioner's request was, again refused by Annexure-13 dated 30.9.2013 issued by the General Manager (P&A) on the ground that after-considering the medical report and other related documents, the C.M.D. had considered that he would be able to discharge desk work duty in view of his physical condition. He was accordingly asked to report his duty at MECON, Mumbai. The petitioner, admittedly joined at Mumbai, thereafter on 6.11.2013 and reportedly again fell ill. He was again referred to Apollo Hospital by the doctors of Ispat Hospital, MECON, Ranchi for treatment. In the meantime, by the impugned office order dated 11.11.2013 the respondents have extended the period of temporary transfer of the petitioner to MECON, Mumbai till 14.5.2014. Therefore, the petitioner has once again challenged the order, of extension of temporary transfer in the present writ application.

(2.) On 25.2.2014 this Court after noticing the rival submissions of the parties considered it proper to direct the respondents to have a re-look into the matter of extension of petitioner's temporary transfer, if necessary by constituting another Medical Board to examine his present status of health. It was also indicated that, in the meantime the respondents would not take any coercive steps against the petitioner pursuant to the impugned order. On 22.3.2014, when the matter was taken up thereafter, it appeared that exercise for which the matter had been adjourned on the earlier occasion had remain unconcluded on account of the stand taken by the respondents as well as the petitioner. In such circumstance, this Court directed the Superintendent' of RIIMS to get the petitioner examined through' Senior Cardiologist of RIIMS for giving his opinion about the medical condition of the petitioner. It was also indicated that since the petitioner has complained of Orthopedic and Psychiatric problem, services of the specialists in the said branches be procured, as available in RUMS. This Court observed that after examination of the petitioner's case the Medical Team of RIIMS shall give their opinion as to whether the petitioner is in condition to undertake travel outside the city in relation to his job. The parties were directed to appear on 26.3.2014 before the Superintendent, RUMS at 10.30 a.m. along with all necessary documents relating to his treatment as may be relevant. The Superintendent of RIIMS was directed to submit the medical report in a sealed cover before the Registrar General of this Court before 31.3.2014. The report of the Medical Team kept in sealed cover submitted before the Registrar General was opened today when the matter has been taken up and counsel for the parties have also been allowed to peruse the same. The report which comprises the opinion of the specialist Doctors under Psychiatry, Orthopedic and also the department of Cardiology is being extracted herein under:--